The 2023/2024 NPFL season has been a delightful one so far. We’ve witnessed the rise of new stars and the revival of some OGs. There’s also been subpar showings from some you’ll expect better from.
All in all it’s been a rollercoaster season, with teams taking turns at the top and bottom of the log. Here are some of the things we’ve picked up as the season has gone by.
Doma United, The Surprise That Keeps On Giving
When we did our season preview and asked some journalists who cover the league to predict the teams that were going to struggle, three of the six writers(including myself) picked Doma United.
Last season, Doma United finished 4th in Group B of the abridged league. They only missed out on a playoff spot on the final day but many saw that as a fluke. The assumption was that their high finish was aided by the fewer travels they had to make and having a whole week to recover felt they would be consumed by the rigors of a 38-game season. There was also that element of surprise that we felt would be figured out this term.
Well, not only have Akinade Onigbinde and his boys proven us wrong, but they are also punching above their weight. The Savannah Tigers continue to sparkle and show that they belong with the elite. Doma have made themselves hard to play against with only two teams picking maximum points against them, they also have the joint-best defensive record in the league with only 5 goals conceded.
A solid defense has been the base of their impressive showing so far and it looks like it will guarantee them another top-half finish this season.
Sodiq Ismail Is The Best Right Back Of Nigerian Descent
Sikiru Alimi is the man getting the most praise for Remo Stars’ current placement on the log and rightly so. The forward has scored approximately 53% of his team’s league goals this season. His goals have been crucial and if they want to win the league, he will need to keep banging them.
However, Sikiru will continue to hope that Sodiq Ismail remains healthy too. The right-wingback has provided four assists for Alimi this season and another five for other teammates. His nine so far is already more than the eight he did last term.
Playing higher up the pitch than he would normally as a right-back, the 21-year-old is thriving. He has been the major creative outlet for Remo Stars both from open play and deadball situations.
He has been consistent with his deliveries and runs up and down the right flank of Remo and his defensive work has been good too.
Recently, he has been mentioned in conversations for NPFL players to get a call-up to the National team, and why not? Although the right-back position isn’t a problem area for the Super Eagles, his qualities are worth having in the team, at least as an option.
Ola Aina seems to have revived his career at Nottingham Forest while Bright Osayi is enjoying his football in Turkey but none of these guys have the weapon Ismail has in his armor. Aina has not assisted a Super Eagles goal since 2019 while Osayi is yet to supply his teammates in his 8 appearances.
Tyronne Ebuehi has also been invited when the regulars are unavailable. Maybe that courtesy should be extended to Sodiq let’s see what he would make of the opportunity. He looks like a player that Jose Peseiro’s big forwards can benefit from.
Can Boboye Work His Magic At Heartland?
Before the arrival of Kennedy Boboye at Heartland, many already condemned the Imolites to relegation. But since the arrival of the two-time league winner, there’s been some change of heart.
A defeat to Enyimba in Owerri did little to suggest a turnaround two weeks ago but a draw in Ibadan eight days later and the win against Bendel Insurance on Wednesday have lifted spirits.
The Naze Millionaires have left the base of the table and are now two points off safety. They will take confidence from those results and with the teams around them fumbling, they have a good chance.
A trip to Gombe is next. I don’t know how they will travel after their midweek exertion but if they find the energy to get a good result at the Pantami, that would be another step towards survival.
Boboye has done it at the top of the league, let’s see how he handles this new challenge. My money is on him keeping the five-time champions up.
Legit Threat For Mfon Udoh’s Record?
Ten seasons after Mfon Udoh scored 23 times to set the record for most goals by a player in an NPFL season, it looks like we might have legit candidates who could surpass that feat.
If the early signs are anything to go by, both Sikiru Alimi and Robert Mizo are on track to smash the record. The Remo Stars and Bayelsa United strikers have 9 goals and look poised to get more.
Home comfort has been crucial for both forwards with the majority of their goals coming in front of their fans. Mizo has scored 8 times in Yenegoa while Sikiru has one fewer in Ikenne.
It’s also been the most productive season in the top flight for both men. Sikiru has surpassed his previous-best tally(8) while Mizo has matched his total from last season in fewer games.
Of course, it’s not the first time players have threatened Mfon Udoh’s record. Anthony Okpotu in 2017, Junior Lokosa in 2018, Silas Nwankwo, and Charles Atshimene in the 2020/21 season all got 19 goals but that’s the best anyone has done.
In Mizo and Sikiru, we have the next set of forwards to try and smash the record if they stay fit and remain till the end of the season.
Away Wins More Golden Than Ever
After 12 matchdays(116 games) we have seen only 6 games end in victories for away teams. That’s the lowest recorded after a dozen rounds since the 2017 season when there were just 5 wins for traveling teams.
The huge drop in away wins is a significant shift from the recent trend that produced at least 14 away wins at this stage in each of the last 5 seasons.
Last season was the highest with teams recording 18 wins on the road by the end of match week 12.
This term, teams are making their home advantage count with 67% of victories this season going to the home sides. And if it is already this low early on in the season when teams are still relatively fresh, then it might not change for the rest of the season.
The NPFL Can Provide Solutions To The Super Eagles GK Problems?
Over the last couple of months, the biggest talking point in the Nigerian Sports fraternity has been about the Super Eagles goalkeeping position.
Who is going to man the goalpost at the AFCON? Can Uzoho, Maduka, or any of the recently invited goalies stake a claim? Does Peseiro have the ‘balls’ to bring in someone new with just over a month to the tournament?
Well, I don’t necessarily have answers to all these questions but I have suggestions that could help, hear me out.
Let’s take a journey back in time to 1980, 1994, and 2013, familiar right? For those who still don’t get it, these were the years that Nigeria won her 3 AFCON titles.
In these years one thing was unique about the squad. All the goalkeepers in the teams had their roots in the Nigeria League. In fact, they were all based in Nigeria when they got their first international call-up.
Where am I going with this? If it isn’t already clear, I am pointing at the NPFL as the solution to our goalkeeping issues. Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye have shown that they can’t be trusted and for whatever reason, Jose Peseiro doesn’t seem to fancy Adebayo Adeleye.
I think everything is aligned for us to go back to what has worked well for us previously. Olorunleke Ojo has been a regular on the roaster while Amas Obasogie got an emergency invite last time out. Between these two and Kingdom Osayi who’s been incredible for Doma United this season, we can find a solution to our problems.
Amas has been the standout shot-stopper in the last two seasons, conceding the fewest goals of any regular. He also has the experience of playing on the continent with Bendel Insurance.
His 8 clean sheets this term is only bettered by one man, Kingdom Osayi. Osayi has 10 from 12 games this season, including shutouts in his last 8 games for Doma United. The former MFM player is also a ‘modern’ goalkeeper with very good distribution and commands his area well. The only issue with him is his lack of international exposure.
I’m tempted to suggest drafting him into the setup but that’s not feasible with a major tournament so close. Maybe after the AFCON would be a good time to bring him in, especially if he keeps his current level.
What Next?
There are still 264 games to play this season and with the levels we have seen from teams so far, it’s delicately poised to serve more drama. I am excited for what’s to come, you should be too.